American Civil Liberties Union

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is now the nation's top law enforcement officer and as such is responsible for investigating how our government's torture policies took such a misguided path.  The American people deserve to know the truth about what torture tactics have been employed in the past and what tactics will be used in the future. Because Gonzales was involved in the development of the policies, Gonzales needs to commit to ensuring a full and fair investigation by agreeing to appoint an outside special counsel for torture and abuse investigations and prosecutions of civilians.

It is important that Gonzales agree to appoint an outside special counsel because an array of already-released documents clearly show that top government officials considered and eventually ordered the removal of protections against many abusive detention and interrogation practices. Despite loudly repeated demands by Congress and the American people, the Bush Administration has successfully blocked the release of documents related to policy changes that paved the way for the horrors of Abu Ghraib and other American-operated detention facilities. These documents -- such as those on the "Top Ten List" of torture-related documents requested by the ACLU -- would help ensure the public and Congress have complete information about the development of policies that inevitably led to the use of torture by American forces.

Take action!  Urge Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to persuade the White House to appoint an outside special counsel to investigate any criminal conduct by civilians in ordering, or paving the way for, torture or abuse of prisoners and to release all torture related documents.

 Gonzales must agree to appoint an outside special counsel.  An outside special counsel is the only way to ensure that all civilians who violated, or conspired to violate, the Anti-Torture Act, and other federal laws against torture and abuse will be fully investigated and held responsible for their criminal acts. 

 As Attorney General, Gonzales is responsible for investigating allegations of torture.  A small number of enlisted men and women in the military and a few low-ranking military officers should not be the only persons held responsible liable for the torture and abuse that repulsed all Americans.  The public - and Congress - deserve to know the full extent to which torture has been implemented for prisoners.

 The Bush Administration should immediately release all key torture-related documents.  The ACLU has issued a Top Ten List of torture-related documents needed to shed light on the interrogation policies that authorized or allowed abuse or torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and elsewhere.  The Administration must commit to the prompt release of all other torture-related documents.

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